Method and System for Mediating Interactive Services Over A Wireless Communications Network

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a method and system for controlling the state of an interactive application and controlling delivery of the interactive application to one or more users. The system of the present invention is a system for delivering an interactive application to one or more users of a communications network and may comprise an interactive application adapted to the communications network; a user access device adapted to receive said interactive application; control means for establishing parameters under which said interactive application is rendered on said user access device; and mediation means for establishing terms for the interaction between the at least one user and other users and the communications network.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/885,964 filed Jun. 22, 2001 and claims priority from ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/252,468, entitled Method and System forProviding Interactive Services Over a Wireless Communications Network,filed Nov. 22, 2000, and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/283,377,entitled Method and System for Mediating Interactive Services Over aWireless Communications Network, filed Apr. 13, 2001, both of which areincorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved method and system forproviding interactive services over a wireless communications network.In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method forcontrolling the state of an interactive application and controllingdelivery of the interactive application to one or more users. Theinteractive application is preferably an entertainment application, suchas a gaming application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

On-line entertainment has been popular for several years. Typically,users connect to the Internet through their desktop computer and enjoycomputer-hosted games ranging from simple board games, like backgammon,to more complex and graphic intensive adventure games. Recently,developments in technology have enabled users to engage in multi-player,interactive gaming sessions with other users at remote locations. Theability to play a game with friends, and even strangers, who are notsimilarly located creates an exciting outlet for gaming aficionados.

Although in its infancy, interactive gaming has become available tousers over wireless networks. Using their mobile handset as a gamecontroller, users play games with other players not in their areawithout being tied down to their desktop computer. The thrill ofinteractive gaming coupled with the convenience of being able to playanywhere through a mobile handset makes wireless interactive gaming avery exciting, and potentially profitable, opportunity for operators ofwireless networks.

Interactive gaming over a wireless network, however, is not withoutdisadvantages. Latency and data transmission delays create performanceissues when gaming over any network, but are especially troublesome overwireless communication networks. Many known systems attempt to solvelatency issues by offering only simplistic games with no or low qualitygraphics that are unaffected by communication delays. These systems,however, significantly depreciate the user's gaming experience. Inaddition, many known wireless interactive gaming systems are not trulyinteractive. Many systems fail to adapt the state of play of the gamebased on the skill of the players, features of the users' accessdevices, or the users' connections to the network, leaving some playersat a significant disadvantage. Other known systems tax network capacityand waste network resources to such a degree that network operators mustcharge users prohibitively high service fees to avoid significantlosses. Still other systems fail to mediate the environment on which thegame is being played.

Others have attempted to provide multi-player, interactive gaming over anetwork. For example, Vange, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,898, disclosesa computer-based interactive gaming system comprising a method forinitiating and scaling a massive concurrent data transaction. Vangediscloses a system and method for optimizing the transmission ofcomputer-hosted game information over a telecommunications link, such asthe Internet.

European Patent Application No. 00660124.9, filed by Nokia Corporation,discloses a method and apparatus for playing games between the clientsof entities at different locations. Specifically, the Nokia applicationlinks multiple players together to a game server through a network usingthe user's mobile phones. The method involves connecting a (plurality ofmobile phones together to a game server through a network for playingthe game. The game server is connected to the network. The game scenariois set up at the game server for each of the plurality of mobile phones.The game signals are transmitted between the mobile phones across thenetwork via the game server.

European Patent Application No. 00660125.6, filed by Nokia Corporation,discloses a multi-player game system using a mobile telephone and gameunit. The Nokia application discloses using a mobile phone to download agame to separate game units and linking the multiple users using a lowpower radio link.

European Patent Application No. 00660161.1 filed by Nokia Corporationdiscloses a system for profiling mobile station activity in a predictivecommand wireless game system. The application discloses a system andmethod for customizing an interactive, text-based game based on mobilestation activity.

Although many of the prior known gaming systems claim to offer anenhanced, interactive gaming experience, none of the prior known systemsof which the present inventors are aware offer a fully interactive realtime gaming experience, with high resolution graphics, while efficientlyusing network resources, managing the game state for a level playingexperience among users, and/or offering those services at a low, fixed,monthly service charge, that is not based on minutes of use, over awireless network communications.

The present invention, in contrast, addresses the problem of how todeliver an enhanced, interactive game experience efficiently and costeffectively. In particular, the system and method of the presentinvention preferably offer a realtime, interactive experience andimprove control of the transfer of game state information. In addition,the present invention preferably controls the game state for a levelplaying experience and controls delivery of the interactive applicationto the user to optimize the utilization of limited network bandwidth.This enables the operator to provide a more enhanced interactive gamingexperience with the same amount of network resources. This also createsthe possibility of providing a wireless game service to end users at aflat monthly rate, rather than on a “per unit of time” basis. In thisregard, the pricing model of Assignee's Cricket™ wirelesstelecommunications services may preferably be adopted.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve marketpenetration of interactive wireless services.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is toimprove market penetration of wireless interactive gaming devices.

A further object of the present invention is to reduce the cost to thesystem operator of delivering interactive applications.

Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto reduce the cost to the system operator of wireless game service.

An additional object of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis to reduce the degree to which interactive wireless services arenetwork dependent.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is toreduce the degree to which interactive wireless services are time of daydependent.

A further object of the present invention is to increase theavailability of interactive wireless services.

Yet another object of the present invention is to more efficientlyutilize network capacity.

An additional object of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis to more efficiently use network capacity for interactive wirelessgaming applications.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto adjust the interactive application to match applicable data transferrequirements of the wireless network.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is tomaintain a substantial amount of the software required to operate theinteractive application on the personal handset device as opposed to thenetwork.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto maintain a substantial amount of the instructions required to operatethe interactive application on the personal handset device as opposed tothe network, in order to reduce network traffic.

An additional object of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis to adapt the wireless transmissions between the network and thepersonal device to reduce latency.

A further object of the present invention is to limit the latency of theresponse of the interactive application.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a reduced cost interactive service.

Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto increase the perceived speed of interactive use.

An additional object of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis to reduce the differences in latency between users of the interactiveservice.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is toachieve a consistent level of latency between users of the interactiveservice.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto create an even playing field for the interactive services.

Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto eliminate differentials that may exist between users of theinteractive service based upon differences in download or modem speedbetween the portable handheld devices.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a more costeffective way to deliver interactive services to end users.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is tosupport an interactive gaming community.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth, inpart, in the description which follows and, in part, will be obviousfrom the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized in detail bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the accompanying diagrams and disclosed in theaccompanying claims, the invention is a system for providing one or morewireless interactive applications to one or more users. The systemcomprises: a wireless communication network; one or more servers,cooperating with the network to deliver one or more interactiveapplication(s) to the one or more users; and one or more wireless accessdevices, in communication with said network. The one or more wirelessaccess devices receive communication from the server to facilitate theusers accessing the one or more wireless interactive applications on thewireless access device.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises:a wireless communications network; an interactive application deliveredover the wireless network to one or more users; one or more wirelessaccess devices adapted to receive and render the interactive applicationto the user; control means for controlling the state of the interactiveapplication; and network mediation means for controlling delivery of theinteractive application to the one or more users.

In another alternative preferred embodiment, the present invention is asystem for providing one or more wireless interactive applications toone or more users. The system comprises: a wireless communicationnetwork adapted for transmission of communications to facilitate the oneor more interactive applications at less than the full frame rate ofvoice communications, and one or more servers, cooperating with thenetwork to deliver one or more interactive application(s) to the one ormore users. The system may also include one or more wireless accessdevices, in communication with the network. The one or more wirelessaccess devices receive communications from the server to facilitate theusers accessing the one or more wireless interactive applications on thewireless access device. The one or more interactive applicationspreferably further comprise high resolution game applications featuringhigh resolution graphics, and may reside on the wireless access device.

In yet another alternative preferred embodiment, the present inventionis a method for providing one or more interactive applications to one ormore users of a wireless communication network. The method according tothe present invention comprises the steps of: initiating a request forwireless interactive services to the network; sending communications tothe network to request the interactive application; compiling therequest and communicating to a wireless access device software necessaryto perform the one or more interactive application; and initiating theinteractive application. The method preferably further includes thesteps of: communicating to the network one or more degrees of freedom ofthe interactive application; storing information about changes in stateof one or more of the degrees of freedom caching the information,communicating the cached information to the server in order toefficiently utilize network resources (said wireless access devicecommunicating signals reflecting the change of state of the interactiveapplication); maintaining one or more interactive applications on theserver; synchronizing the interactive applications among the users; andcommunicating updates to the one or more interactive applications untilplay is concluded or terminated.

It will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art thatmodification and variations may be made in the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, theone or more interactive applications according to the present inventionpreferably comprise a range of latency values along a continuum, forexample: less than about 30 s; less than about 10 s; less than about 1s; less than about 500 ms; less than about 300 ms; and/or less thanabout 200 ms. The one or more interactive applications according to thepresent invention may also comprise high resolution graphics.

Furthermore, the wireless access device according to the presentinvention preferably comprises a handheld device. The wireless accessdevice preferably comprises an 8 bit microprocessor, wherein themicroprocessor may further comprise a clock speed of greater than about4 MHz. The wireless access device preferably further comprises a rangeof memory capability along a continuum, for example: greater than about256 Kb memory; greater than about 512 Kb memory; greater than about 1 Mbmemory, greater than about 2 Mb memory; greater than about 4 Mb ofmemory; or greater than about 8 Mb of memory.

The wireless access device according to the present invention preferablycomprises video display having a range of resolution along a continuum,for example: in excess of 160×144 pixels, or 240×160 pixels, and maycomprise a black and white, monochrome, or color display. The colordisplay may be capable of rendering more than for example about 256colors; 2,000 colors; 24,000 colors; 32,000 colors; or 64,000 colors orother values along a continuum. The wireless access device may comprisebattery power sufficient to power the device for more than about 30hours. In addition, the wireless access device may comprise a 16 bitmicroprocessor; a 32 bit microprocessor; and/or a 32 bit RISCmicroprocessor or any other value along a continuum. The microprocessorpreferably has a clock speed of greater than about 8 MHz, and may have aclock speed of greater than 16 Mhz or any other value along a continuum.The memory of the microprocessor may be external to the microprocessor.In addition, the wireless access device may comprise VRAM and/or WRAMmemory.

The users of the system according to the present invention may be one ormore users and preferably comprise up to eight or more simultaneoususers. In addition, the system according to the present inventionpreferably conserves network resources relative to voice traffic. Thecommunication from the network to the wireless access device may occurat a full frame rate. Moreover, the communication from the network tothe wireless access device may occur at a half frame rate or other orother levels, more conservative of bandwidth.

Furthermore, the wireless access device according to the presentinvention preferably caches information regarding the interactiveapplication, fills data packets, and/or dispatches the communications toensure efficient use of the network. In addition, the applicationfeature according to the present invention offers the user more thanthree degrees of freedom. The application feature may reside on thewireless access device.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention include the variationsand modifications that may be used in conjunction with the invention,provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate certain embodiments of theinvention, and together with the detailed description, serve to explainthe principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in connection with thefollowing figures in which like reference numbers refer to like elementsand wherein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of thesystem of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative preferredembodiment of the system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of themethod of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart or process diagram illustrating thesynchronization process of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart or process diagram illustrating thesynchronization process of an alternative preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart or process diagram illustrating the game mediationprocess of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart or process diagram illustrating the game mediationprocess of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart or process diagram illustrating the game mediationprocess of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart or process diagram illustrating the networkmediation process of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart or process diagram illustrating the networkmediation process of an alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of themethod and system of the present invention, an example of which isillustrated in the accompanying drawings. A preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1 as interactive system 10. As shownin FIG. 1, the interactive system 10 comprises: a telecommunicationsnetwork 100, an interactive application 200 delivered over the network100 to one or more users; one or more wireless access devices 300adapted to receive and render the interactive application 200 to theuser(s); a game server 400; and interface 900.

A method of practicing a preferred embodiment of the invention will bedescribed, followed by a description of alternative preferredembodiments of the system and method of the present invention.

Method of a Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention

A preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention isdepicted in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the method of thepresent invention preferably comprises the steps of: synchronizing 1000,controlling 2000, and mediating 3000 the interactive application 200rendered to the at least one wireless access device 300.

A preferred embodiment of the synchronization process 1000 of thepresent invention is depicted in FIG. 4. The synchronization process1000 comprises the steps of: initiating the gaming session 1100,including initiating a connection between each of the wireless accessdevices 200 (clients) and the game server 400; synchronizing the clients1200; synchronizing the server 1300; and facilitating the interactiveapplication (gaming) session 1400. State of play is preferablysynchronized between the various users of the interactive entertainmentservice. In addition, the game is preferably mediated and controlled toenhance the entertainment experience, while efficiently managing controlof the interface between one or more wireless access devices of theusers and the wireless communications network.

FIG. 5 depicts a synchronization process 1000 of an alternativepreferred embodiment of the present invention. First, in step 1110, theuser logs on to the system. The user then requests game play, in step1120, from the game server 400. The interactive system 10 then seeks tolocate other players, in step 1130, and retrieves player information andpast history about the players whom it has located in step 1140.Alternatively, the player information and past history may be retrievedafter players are selected for the current gaming session. Next, theinteractive system 10 retrieves game information, in step 1150. At thispoint in the process, the game has been initiated, as shown in step1410, and the users are ready to begin play.

Game play preferably proceeds, subject to the synchronization process1000 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, prior to initiatinggame play, the system preferably checks to insure synchronizationbetween all users 1200. Prior to initiating game play, state informationis preferably supplied to synchronization check timer 1310. Thesynchronization check timer 1310 cooperates with the game timer todetermine whether or not the system should confirm synchronization toany users with the game at that point in time. If the game timer has notyet reached the point at which synchronization is called for, thesynchronization timer 1310 delivers the users to game play 1420.

As shown in FIG. 5, game play preferably proceeds until the game timerequals the synchronization timer 1310. At that point, the systemrequests state information from all users relative to game information1320. The users deliver state information from each of the wirelessaccess devices 200 to the master game server 400, in step 1330, and themaster server tests whether there are any differences in the state ofplay 1340. If there are no differences in the state of play 1340 betweenthe user(s) and the game, the system delivers the user(s) back to thegame to continue play 1420.

If there are differences in the state of play between the user(s) and/orthe master server, the synchronization process 1000 of the presentinvention preferably determines and transmits the required adjustmentsto the affected device in order to synchronize all state machines, asshown in step 1350. The devices then receive the new state informationin step 1230.

If desired, the client applications initiate an algorithm to adjust thestate of play 1240. The system then determines whether or not the statechange requires smoothing in order to provide a high quality interactiveexperience for the user, as shown in step 1210. If smoothing is desired,the system adjusts the state 1250 and returns the users to game play instep 1420. If smoothing is required, the system initiates a smoothingalgorithm, as shown in step 1220, snapping the users to the new state.The state is adjusted in step 1250 and the users are returned to play,as shown in step 1420.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 depict alternative preferred embodiments of theoperation of the control means 600 of the present invention. The controlmeans 600 provides management of the real time state of game play andpreferably facilitates the game mediation process 2000 of the presentinvention. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the gamemediation process 2000 comprises the steps of: initiating the gamingsession 2100; matching skill levels of players 2200; matching andaccommodating device capabilities 2300; facilitating game play 2400, andterminating the gaming session 2500.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in an alternative preferred embodiment, theinitiation step 2100 of the control process 2000 preferably furthercomprises the steps of: logging onto the system 2110; requesting gameplay 2120; and locating other potential players 2130.

As shown in FIG. 8, the step of matching skill levels 2200, whichenables the system to evaluate the players' respective skill levels anddetermine whether or not they wish to proceed, preferably furthercomprises the steps of: retrieving player information and past history2210; retrieving game information 2220; determining the skill level ofthe respective potential players 2230; notifying each of the prospectiveplayers of the skill levels of the other potential players 2240; andrequesting each player if they wish to continue 2250. If the playerswish to continue, they proceed to the step of matching and accommodatingdevice capabilities 2300, for evaluating and resolving any differencesbetween the user's respective access devices and the network. If theplayer(s) do(es) not wish to continue, the system searches for otherplayers 2260 with similar skill levels. Once located, the player isreturned to the step of locating other players 2130.

If the player wishes to continue in spite of differences in skill level,as determined in step 2250, the system evaluates the capabilities ofeach user's connection and device in step 2305. The differences indevices are preferably determined in step 2310. If there are differencesin the devices, the process preferably proceeds to accommodate thedevice differences 2300.

FIG. 8 shows, for an alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the further steps of accommodating device differences 2300.This process of evaluating and resolving any differences between theusers' respective connections and devices of the game mediation process2000 of the present invention preferably further comprises the steps of:querying the respective devices regarding the capabilities of theirprocessors 2365; querying the respective devices regarding signalstrength 2370; querying the respective devices regarding their videocapabilities 2375; querying the respective devices about latency 2380;and evaluating the capabilities of each users' device 2305.

Any differences between the devices and connections are determined. Ifthere are differences between the devices, as determined in step 2310,the process then compares the device characteristics in step 2330. Theprocess then determines the lowest common capability set, as shown instep 2335 and issues command applications, as shown in step 2340, toenable only the capability set that has been determined. The processproceeds to determine any differences between each users connection overthe network 100, as shown in step 2345. In a preferred embodiment, theprocess further comprises running a ping test to determine connectiondifferences, as shown in step 2350. The process continues by adjustingthe game server parameters to communicate with the devices according totheir connection(s), as shown in step 2355, and, then initiating gameplay in step 2410. If there are no differences between connections, themethod proceeds instead directly to step 2410 and the initiation of gameplay.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative preferred embodiment of the controlprocess 2000, and in particular, the step 2300 of accommodating devicecapabilities according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, theaccommodating device capabilities 2300 process of the present inventionpreferably further comprises the steps of: determining one or moreplayers' skill level(s) from past performance or other criteria 2395;evaluating the capabilities of each users' connection and device 2305;and adjusting the game server 400 to accommodate for device andconnection differences 2390.

FIG. 9 depicts a preferred embodiment of the mediation process 3000 andin particular the network mediation process for matching players of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the network mediation process3000 of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of:initiating an interactive session 3100; locating potential players 3200;mediating the application 3300, facilitating game play 3400; andterminating the gaming session 3500.

An alternative preferred embodiment of the mediation process 3000 of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 10. The step of initiating game play3100, preferably further comprises the steps of: logging on to thesystem 3110; requesting game play 3120; and locating other players 3130.The step of locating players 3200 preferably further comprises the stepsof: retrieving player information and past history 3210, retrieving gameinformation 3220, retrieving device information 3230; and determiningwhether or not the device can provide location information 3240.

If the device or network does not comprise means to determine andprovide to the network or to other users the location of the wirelessaccess device 300, the process proceeds with the step of enabling gameplay 3400. The step of enabling game play preferably further comprises:setting up client-server communications 3405; initiating game play 3410;enabling game play 3420; and ending the game play session 3430.

To the extent the device is able to provide location information, theprocess preferably proceeds instead to the step of locating andresolving peer-to-peer communications 3300. In a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the step of evaluating and resolving peer-to-peercommunications preferably further comprises the steps of: retrievinglocation information from the respective devices 3310; determiningwhether or not the devices are close enough to initiate peer-to-peerplay 3320 (and if they are not, proceeding with the step of game play3400 as described above); determining whether the devices are capable ofpeer-to-peer play 3330 (and if they are not, proceeding with the step ofenabling game play 3400 described above); and setting up peer-to-peercommunications 3340.

Once peer-to-peer communications are established, as shown in step 3340,the process preferably proceeds with the step of initiating game play3410. In a preferred embodiment, it would not be necessary to set upclient-server communication, as shown in step 3405, in a peer-to-peercommunication environment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the step of terminating a game session preferablyfurther comprises: determining whether or not the session was apeer-to-peer communication 3510; uploading game and player detail 3530to the server(s) 400; and ending the session 3540. If the session waspeer-to-peer, this process further comprises the client reestablishingnetwork connection to the server, as shown in step 3520; uploading gameand player detail to the server(s), as shown in step 3530; and endingthe session in step 3540. If the session was not a peer-to-peer session,the process proceeds with the steps of uploading the game and playerdetail to the server 3530 and ending the session 3540.

It will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill that variousmodifications and variations may be made in the process of the presentinvention and, in particular, in the synchronization, control, andmediation processes of the invention, without departing from the spiritof the invention. For example, the management and interaction of thepresentation, action, and control functionality can each reside atvarious locations in the system. The system communicates and coordinatesthese functions between the various users. The hardware and softwareused to perform these functions, may reside at the wireless accessdevice 200, network 100, or the game server 400, or any combination ofthose locations. The different functional levels must communicateeffectively with one another. The system is adapted to enable them tocommunicate and cooperate appropriately to achieve the objects of thepresent invention. Thus, it is intended that the variations andmodifications be considered part of the invention, provided they comewithin the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

System of the Present Invention

As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the interactive system 10of the present invention comprises: a telecommunications network 100; aninteractive application 200 delivered over the network 100 to one ormore users; one or more user wireless access devices 300 adapted toreceive and render the interactive application 200 to the user; a gameserver 400; and an interface 900.

In an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shownin FIG. 2, the telecommunications network 100 is a wirelesscommunications network. Other suitable embodiments of thetelecommunications network 100 of the present invention, include, butare not limited to: Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS); Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN); Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN);Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ASDL); any of various other typesof Digital Subscriber Lines (xDSL); Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN);the Internet; cellular; Global System Mobile (GSM); General Packet RadioServices (GPRS); Infrared Data Association (IrDA); Cellular DigitalPacket Data (CDPD); Enhanced Data Rates for Global (or GSM) Evolution(EDGE); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Ricochetproprietary wireless packet network; wireless local loop (WLL); WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN); 802.11; infrared; Bluetooth; Wide AreaNetwork (WAN); Local Area Network (LAN); Optical; Line of Sight;satellite-based systems; Cable; User Datagram Protocol (UDP); SMR(walkie talkies); any portion of the unlicensed spectrum; wirelinenetworks; and/or any other suitable telecommunications network 100. Anycommunications network is considered to be within the scope of thepresent invention, provided it is adapted to render the interactiveapplication 200 to the user, as described herein.

The interactive system 10 of the present invention is preferably adaptedfor use in conjunction with a wireless communications network 100 thatis data capable, as opposed to a first generation cellular (voice only)network. The present inventors anticipate that the wireless network 100is preferably based upon PCS, TDMA, CDMA, CDPD, CDMAone, or any othersuitable technology(ies) or standard(s) that are data capable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communications network 100 preferablyfurther comprises one or more base station(s) 110, one or more basestation controller(s) (BSC) 120, and one or more mobile switchingcenter(s) (MSC) 130. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart, each base station 110 includes a transceiver (not shown) capable oftransmitting signals to and receiving signals from the wireless accessdevices 300. In addition, each base station 110 is connected through thebase station controller 120 to the mobile switching center 130.

The mobile switching center 130 preferably cooperates with the gameserver 400 through the Interworking Function (“IWF”) 150. The IWF 150 ispreferably connected to the Internet 140. As will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art, the IWF 150 comprises the necessaryequipment and conversion algorithms to permit seamless communicationbetween the mobile switching center 130 and the mobile game server 400,despite potentially dissimilar protocols supporting each of thosecomponents. Other embodiments of the IWF 150, such as, for example, aPCE node, a PDSN node, or any other node of similar functionality areconsidered within the scope of the present invention.

The mobile switching center 130 is preferably linked to the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) 160. Further, in cooperation with themobile switching center 130, the interactive system 10 preferablyincludes a home location register (HLR) 170 for identifying and/orverifying subscribers on the interactive system 10. As will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art, the wireless communicationsnetwork 100 is adapted to allow communication between the wirelessaccess devices 300 and the game server 400.

As shown in FIG. 2, the network 100 preferably further comprises messagemeans 800 for providing communication between users. Message functions,such as SMS (Short Message Service), Text, Voice, and chat, arepreferably provided in conjunction with the present invention in amanner known in the art prior to the preset invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communications network 100 isadapted to efficiently manage the air interface. In contrast with priorknown systems, the data transfer rates of the present inventionpreferably are adapted to provide an enriched, realistic interactiveapplication, such as a game, while minimizing the amount of bandwidththat is dedicated to providing the interactive application 200. Forexample, in a preferred embodiment, the interactive system 10 minimizesthe number of degrees of freedom that must be managed over the wirelessnetwork 100 by providing predefined subroutines on the wireless accessdevice 300.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention efficiently managesspawned degree of freedom information, such as, for example, projectileinformation. In an interactive application where a projectile, such as,a missile, a rope, an arrow, etc., is launched, the system must transmitinformation and track movement of two discrete objects (the projectileand the image launching it). Prior known systems deliver multiple setsof instructions across the air interface. Other prior known systemsdeliver only one set of movement instructions, leading to a lessrealistic gaming experience.

In the present invention, the trajectory of the projectile preferably iscalculated at the wireless access device 300, based on formulae or otherdata to depict movement of the projectile. The calculations, and theformulae required to make the calculations, preferably are game specificand are part of the interactive application 200 downloaded to thewireless access device 300. For example, when the interactiveapplication 200 requires a ball to be thrown, the wireless access device300 of the present invention preferably locally evaluates the trajectoryand depicts the path that the ball will take, rather than sending andreceiving multiple instructions over the network depicting each stage ofmovement of the ball. This prevents the present invention from tying upvaluable network capacity.

The wireless access device 300 preferably receives update informationfrom the game server 400, based on any conditions that would alter thetrajectory that is calculated at the wireless access device 300. Thesemay include, for example, shifts in wind direction and magnitude, orother forces. The use of the network's air interface remains efficientbecause the interactive system 10 preferably transmits only the minimumnecessary information, in contrast to prior known systems that transmitat a full frame rate, regardless of the availability of or need for datafor transmission.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention more efficiently usesnetwork resources by providing the least amount of information necessaryat each point to enable the wireless access device 300 to render theinteractive application 200. The present inventors anticipate that anumber of methods may be used to reduce the amount of informationnecessary to enable the interactive application. It will be apparent topersons of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications andvariations may be made and the manner in which the air traffic requiredto produce the interactive application may be reduced, without departingfrom the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the amount ofinformation transmitted over the wireless network 100 pertaining to thedegrees of freedom of the interactive application 200 preferably isreduced. This function may be accomplished by any number of alternativeand/or complimentary means. The instruction set is preferably layered.Sets of instructions are preferably grouped together in a logicalfashion in order to reduce the amount of air traffic necessary toactuate the movement of a game piece. For example, the movement of acharacter that is running may be broken into several series of actionsand instructions layered to depict groups of those actions. Arm movementmay be depicted in one series of instructions; leg movement could bedepicted in another; and movement of the character horizontally and/orvertically could be depicted in yet other layers of instructions.

Similarly, in an alternative preferred embodiment, multiple sets ofinstructions may be collapsed into a single instructions set, set(s) ofcodes, or subroutine(s). Although this would require creating a numberof codes that represent the various actions the character couldmaintain, it offers the potential for dramatically reducing the amountof air interface traffic required to actuate the game. For example, inan embodiment of the present invention, many of the actions involved inthe game are reduced to a single subroutine. Activities such as running,jumping, throwing, crawling, are reduced to a single or reducedinstruction set so that when the single or reduced instruction set istransmitted over the wireless network 100, the character performs aseries of actions corresponding to that activity.

The present invention preferably provides an enriched interactive gamingexperience on a least cost basis. This is accomplished by minimizing thetraffic over the air interface and more efficiently managing networkresources. This enables the system operator to keep costs lower thanthose with previously known systems.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interactiveapplication 200 preferably further comprises: an application 210; adevice adaptation means 220; a communication means 230; and a mediationmeans 240, based on various criteria relating to the interaction of theusers of the interactive entertainment service.

The interactive application 200 preferably comprises, withoutlimitation, any one or more of the following: games; entertainmentservices; stock quotations; message boards; purchasing; advertising;news services; bill payment; instant messaging; email; location-basedinformation and services; and any other interactive application. It willbe apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that any of variousapplications may be adapted to be used with the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention include all of the variousapplications that may be adapted to be used with the invention, providedthey come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The interactive application 200 is preferably further adapted tocooperate with certain features of the wireless network 100 or of thewireless access device 300. In a preferred embodiment, the wirelessaccess device 300 preferably further comprises: controls 310,peripherals 320, and a user interface 330. The interactive application200 may be adapted depending on the platform, or the particular hardwareor software being employed on the wireless access device 300. Similarly,the interactive application 200 is preferably adapted depending onphysical parameters, such as battery life for the form factor of thewireless access device 300.

The communications means 230 of the interactive application 200 of thepresent invention preferably comprises any one or more of: voice;physical feedback; text; video; images; attachments; or location-basedinformation. Preferably, the present invention may be further adapted toprovide, as applicable: voice mail; store and forward features; handmessaging features; the ability to deliver unique messages; email-,instant messaging; audio; video; images, text; electronic cards, music;advertising; peer-to-peer communications; geographic information;directions; and information on any other subject.

The physical feedback embodiments of the communication means 230 of theinteractive application 200 of the present invention are preferablyadapted to provide sensory input to the user comprising, withoutlimitation, one or more of: vibration, such as through the use of arumble pack; heat; pressure; sound, sight, through enhanced visualeffects; smell; touch; and any other sensation.

The control means 600 of the game server 400 of the present inventionpreferably further includes a game mediation means 620 for mediating theinteractive application 200 of the present invention based on variousparameters regarding the level of play and the interaction of the users.The game mediation means 620 may be embodied in the interactiveapplication 200 as a software application and/or in an algorithm thatresides on one or more servers in the interactive system 10.

As embodied herein, the wireless access device 300 is any user devicethat is adapted to interface with the communications network 100 toprovide a multiplayer, interactive game. In the preferred embodiment,the wireless access device 300 comprises a wireless communicationsdevice such as a mobile phone. In other alternative preferredembodiments, the wireless access device 300, comprises: a personaldigital assistant (PDA); a pager; a wireless game controller; and/or anemail device.

The wireless access device 300 preferably includes one or moreperipherals 320 comprising: headphones; earphones; cables; joysticks;paddles; cameras; microphones; speakers and external keypads.

The wireless access device 300 is adapted to run on any platformnecessary to provide the interactive application 200 and the desiredfunctionality of the interactive system 10. The platform preferablyincludes any number of operating systems known in the art, such as, forexample, Palm, Windows, Symbian, Java, Mac, or any other operatingsystem capable of supporting the functionality of the interactive system10.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the wireless access device 300is adapted to provide voice-over-packet services. These services furthercomprise interactive group communications service, such as the QChatapplication developed by Qualcomm. QChat serves as a wireless extensionof Internet Chat and instant messaging services. These services areemployed by minimizing the packet frame size used for the communicationduring times of network congestion or any other time determined by thecarrier. The voice-over-packet is preferably limited to halfrate framesto minimize the amount of data sent at the expense of voice quality.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the presentinvention comprises the game server 400. The game server 400 preferablyenables a user to play an interactive entertainment application 210 andfurther comprises means for downloading, purchasing, selling, andbilling the user for the application 210. The game server 400 comprisesany server with a network interface adapted for use in conjunction withthe communications network 100, the interactive application 200, and thewireless access device 300 of the present invention 10. In a preferredembodiment, the game server 400 comprises a Sun Metra Platform. Theapplications (games) 210 are typically sold in client (single player)and server (multi-player) versions. The game server 400 of the presentinvention is adapted to provide games 210 and other applications over awireless communications network.

The game server 400 of the present invention preferably furthercomprises: a synchronization means 500 for synchronizing the state ofplay between the users and the network 100; a control means 600 forcontrolling the state of the interactive application; and a networkmediation means 700 for controlling delivery of the interactiveapplication 200 to the one or more users. The game server 400 preferablycomprises one or more servers. The synchronization means 500, thecontrol means 600, and the network mediation means 700 may reside on thesame or different server(s). As shown in FIG. 2, and will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, any of a number of configurations ofthe game server 400 would allow for communication with the interactivesystem 10 of the present invention. For example, the functions of thegame and player databases 410 and 420, and of the synchronization means500, the control means 600, and the mediation means 700 may be embodiedin a single or multiple structures. Alternatively the game server 400could be housed within or separate from the network 100 or any of itscomponents. The interface(s) 900 preferably are adapted accordingly.

The game server 400 preferably further comprises a game database 410 forstoring various game software and/or other interactive applications, anda player profile database 420 for storing the profiles of subscribers tothe interactive system 10. The hardware employed its preferably of thetype known in the art for data storage and retrieval functions.Similarly, the connections between the components of the game server400, the synchronization means 500, the control means 600, and themediation means 700, are preferably high speed, router-serverconnections, of the type well known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the game server 400 of the present inventionfurther comprises the synchronization means 500, for synchronizing thetransmission and display of the interactive application 200. Thesynchronization means 500 may be embodied in a software applicationand/or an algorithm that resides on the game server 400. Thesynchronization means 500 is adapted to enable the user to experience arobust and jitter-free gaming environment. The synchronization means 500identifies when any of the players are in a game state that is not thesame as the game state of the server, or of the other players. The gameserver 400 preferably calculates the correct game state. Thesynchronization means 500 is adapted to cooperate with the game server400 which provides information about the state the player should be in.The synchronization means 500 orders the interactive application 200 tomake the appropriate changes to bring the players into synchronization.

Gaming applications 210 are typically subject to creep or wanderproblems. It is preferable, therefore, to maintain synchronizationbetween each wireless access device 300 and the network 100, relative tothe state of play of the interactive application 200. That is, eachplayer in the interactive session should see on their display the samestate of the game as each of the other players. This synchronization ofthe game state may be accomplished in the present invention through anyof a number of mechanisms including, without limitation, providingseparate synchronization means 500 for synchronizing the systems;monitoring the manner in which the system is mediated; or imposingseparate software systems or control features to limit or eliminatecreep and wander.

In the preferred embodiment, the wireless access device 300 willtransmit its overall state information to the synchronization means 500at a given interval. The timing and length of the interval will varydepending on the interactive application (game) being played, itscomplexity, and the number of degrees of freedom involved. Thesynchronization means 500 will then determine, based on the stateinformation it receives from all of the wireless access devices 300 inthe particular interactive session, what actions, if any, need to betaken.

The control means 600 of the present invention preferably is adapted tomanage the realtime state of play of the interactive application 200;maintain overall synchronization of players during the game; ensureproper distribution of information to and from the players; and routeinformation to the appropriate players as required. The control means600 is preferably further adapted to determine or place users intodifferent networks as appropriate for game play. This function ispreferably accomplished through cooperation with and based oninformation supplied by the mediation means 700, as well as by theusers' themselves.

The control means 600 preferably comprises a server of the type wellknown in the art. The control means 600 preferably further comprises ageneric processor operating at a fast clock rate, such as a Sun SPARCwork station. The processor may be a single, dual, multiple,distributed, or multithreading processor. In a preferred embodiment, thegame server 400 of the present invention preferably operates at therouter frame rate and provides handicapping, based upon informationsupplied by users and or the users' profile(s) from player database 420.The control means 600 also preferably provides error correctionfunctions.

The control means 600 preferably further comprises the game mediationmeans 620. When users of different skill levels interact in anapplication, the game mediation means 620 preferably defines the stateof play in order to achieve a level playing experience. Because the gamemediation means 620 has access to each player's profile in the playerdatabase 420, the game mediation means 620 has access to informationsuch as, for example, how well the player has performed on a particulargame, in the past, and how often they have played a particular game.With this information, the game mediation means 620 preferably assigns arating to a player for a particular game. Individual game ranking isstored in a user's profile stored in the player database 420. The gamemediation means 620 preferably allows players to enter into theinteractive session who are within a given rating for the game beingplayed. In alternative preferred embodiments, the game mediation means620 notifies players in the interactive session that one player may bemore (or less) skilled than another.

Alternatively, the game mediation means 620 preferably mediates theinteractive application 200 based on features of the wireless accessdevices 300 in a particular interactive session and/or other factorsrelevant to a player's gaming experience. The game mediation means 620preferably further comprises one or more of the following features:display; processor; user preference; language; file support; identity ofthe user; other features or characteristics of the user; the accessdevice being employed; the control means being used; bandwidthrequirements; and ping rate. The game mediation means 620 is preferablyin communication with each wireless access device 300 prior to the startof a gaming session, the present invention preferably is supplied withinformation regarding these various factors.

In alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention, thecontrol means 600 performs the processes illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and7. After the user has logged onto the system and requested game play,the interactive system 10 locates other players who wish to participatein the interactive gaming session. The control means 600 retrievesplayer information from the player database 420 and game informationfrom the game database 410. The control means 600 retrieves informationabout each wireless access device 300 and its connection over thewireless network 100. The control means 600 then determines the skilllevel of the players who have indicated that they wish to join thegaming session.

The process of determining a player's skill level preferably comprisesdetermining the player's past performance at playing this particulargame and ranking the players based on past performance. The rankingsystem used by the control means 600 preferably includes scalablenomenclature, which may be as simple as a numerical ranking from 1(novice) to 5 (expert), or may comprise any nomenclature adapted toapplication 200. The control means 600 communicates each player's skilllevel to other players. Each user is then prompted on their wirelessaccess device 300 whether they wish to continue playing. If any playerschoose to opt out of the gaming session, the system may be adapted tolocate replacement players.

After the system establishes the players, the control means 600evaluates the capabilities of each of the users based on their wirelessaccess device 300 and their connection to the wireless communicationsnetwork 100, as discussed above. The control means 600 then preferablycompensates for skill, device, and connection differences as shown inFIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

The control means 600 of the present invention preferably is furtheradapted to provide an enriched data environment, without sacrificing theefficient management of the air interface. Each wireless access device300 may have high resolution, and may be black and white, monochrome, orcolor. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention preferablyfurther comprises a color management means 350 for managing the deliveryof color to the wireless access device 300. In an alternative preferredembodiment, the invention comprises interlacing techniques such as thoseknown in the broadcast industry. When color is used, the interactivesystem 10 of the present invention provides an efficient, yet enriched,data environment by defining color as a degree of freedom.

For example, the facial color of a character in the interactiveapplication 200 is preferably defined by one degree of freedom withthree states (e.g., orange, red, and purple). The face may be defined inthe (client) wireless access device 300 by transmitting only the stateof the facial color over the air interface. When the character's facebecomes bruised, for example, the interactive system 10 transmits“purple” state information only. In addition, in a manner similar tothat by which the trajectory of a projectile is calculated, the presentinvention further reduces airlink traffic by calculating the stateinformation at the wireless access device 300 instead of transmittingthe information over the network. For example, if events x and y occur,the wireless access device 300 is adapted to display a color state z.

The control means 600 of the present invention is preferably adapted touse user profiles stored on the player database 420 for providing apersonalized, interactive application. For example, the user profilepreferably comprises information about a user's experience level,enabling the interactive system 10 to supplement the interactiveapplication with personalized messages, such as prompts, game hints, andhelp files. The user profile preferably further comprises: the genre(s)of application(s) in which the user is interested, a user's skill rankfor a particular game, training files to allow a user to improve his/herskill level at a particular game, and messages aimed at taunting theuser during play. The network infrastructure for providing the userprofile functionality to the control means 600 of the present inventionpreferably further comprises the subject matter described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. , entitled “Method and Systemfor Content Distribution Over a Wireless Communications System,” filedMar. 16, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully setforth herein.

The control means 600 of the present invention is preferably furtheradapted to monitor and/or limit a user's access to particularinteractive applications. For example, the control means 600 may preventa user from accessing an interactive application that the user'swireless access device 300 is not capable of supporting (lack ofgraphics capability, lack of processing speed, software versionincompatibility, etc.), or may limit a user's access to a particulargaming application if the user has not attained, or maintained, acertain skill level (too skilled or not skilled enough). In this manner,the control means 600 may be adapted to sort stored user profiles andmatch users based on predefined ranges of skill, equipmentspecifications, and/or other attributes. The control means 600 ispreferably further adapted to allow users to request to play other usersthat may be outside these ranges. In these instances, the control means600 preferably notifies the users of the (dis)advantages of the otherplayer(s). The control means 600 preferably further comprises ahandicapping mechanism for leveling the playing field.

The control means 600 is preferably further adapted to recognize thelocation of a wireless access device 300. The control means 600 mayfurther comprise software that recognizes the GPS and/or ANI addressinformation of the user or the wireless access device 300. Locationinformation is preferably gathered and transmitted by the wirelessaccess device 300, using GPS and location software and/or estimationmethods of the type known in the art. For example, location informationmay be estimated by the interactive system 10 based on any one or moreof prior known methods, comprising one or more of: round trip signaldelay; triangulation; received power; and the cell site location withwhich the wireless access device 300 is in communication.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control means600 is further adapted to provide administration services. The controlmeans 600 preferably stores directories of users of the interactivesystem 10, allocated into certain affinity groups, or interactivecommunities. The present invention preferably comprises administrativeservice means and interactive community functionality, as disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/833,656, entitled “Method and Systemto Facilitate Interaction Between and Content Delivery to Users of aWireless Communications Network,” filed Apr. 13, 2001, which isincorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

The control means 600 of the present invention preferably furthercomprises a game management means 610 for managing a particular gaminginteractive application. The game management means 610 is adapted toalter the overall states of certain global degrees of freedom. Forexample, the game management means 610 adjusts the conditions of thefield of play for a gaming application by providing instructions to thewireless access device 300 for rain, snow, wind, or any other change offield or state of play conditions. The instructions preferably areprovided to the wireless access device 300 in an arbitrary fashion, oraccording to a schedule stored in the control means 600. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the game management means610 is an algorithm or software means designed for a specific gamingapplication 200. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the gamemanagement means 610 is performed through human intervention at theadministrator level of the wireless communication network.

The control means 600 preferably further comprises error correctionmeans 630 for minimizing transmission errors during delivery of theinteractive application. The error correction means 630 comprises any ofthe known error correction techniques, for example: block codingmethods; convolutional coding methods; or any other error correctionmethods known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

It will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art thatnumerous variations may be made in the present invention, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In thepreferred embodiment, users are billed according to Assignee's Cricket™business model. Users may be billed based upon: a flat rate withunlimited use; on a pre-paid basis; based on minutes of use; on a payper play basis; and/or any combination of known billing methods. Inaddition, the provision of the interactive application 200 to the usermay be sponsored, such that the user receives a discounted or subsidizedrate, in return for listening to personalized advertisements before,during, and/or after the interactive session. The control means 600preferably is adapted to manage these billing functions.

The control means 600 of the present invention preferably furthercomprises means to maintain a persistent state of play. For example, auser may end an interactive gaming session and the control means 600will store the session so that the user may resume the session at alater time. Alternatively, if the user ends a gaming session thatincluded multiple players, the control means 600 is preferably adaptedto store the session so that it may be resumed by all or certain of theplayers at a later time.

The control means 600 preferably further comprises back up, fail over,and/or redundancy systems to prevent data, such as a user profile and/orstored gaming session information, from being lost. The control means600 preferably comprises known systems and methods, such as, forexample, RAID storage, active mirroring of information, hear-beatsignaling, load sharing, and/or any other methods known by those ofordinary skill in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the network mediation means 700 of thepresent invention is adapted to match players for multi-player gaming.The network mediation means 700 preferably employs user profileinformation to establish the application 210 adapting the gamingparameters to control: latency; degrees of freedom; skill levels; anddevice and connection types. The network mediation means 700 preferablyemploys means similar to those used by the control means 600, yet, thenetwork mediation means 700 need not run as close to real time as thecontrol means 600 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The network mediation means 700 preferably mediates communications basedupon specifications of each wireless access device 300, the interactiveapplication 200, location of the user, and user profiles stored by thecontrol means 600. Once it has determined that peer-to-peercommunication is possible for a particular interactive session, thenetwork mediation means 700 preferably directs each wireless accessdevice 300 to engage in a peer-to-peer interactive session. During thissession, each wireless access device 300 would download any necessaryinformation from the interactive system 10, and send limited informationto the system 10 to maintain the proper level of knowledge required toprovide an enhanced interactive experience. This information preferablywould include, for example, final scores, standings, and/or any othergame related statistics that may provide the system with a betterunderstanding of the user and their experience. In addition, informationmay be sent from the network to the wireless access device 300, such as,for example, personalized messages and/or advertisements that are notresident on the device.

Other than the limited information sent to or from the wireless accessdevice 300 during peer-to-peer mode, the wireless access devices 300communicate directly with each other the necessary information tomaintain the game. This is advantageous because it reduces the amount ofinformation that is transmitted across the wireless network 100 andreduces the operator's service costs without infringing on the user'splaying experience.

The network mediation means 700 preferably is embodied in a softwareapplication and/or algorithm that resides on one or more servers in theinteractive system 10. The network mediation means 700 preferablydelivers the interactive application through a client-server environmentover the wireless network 100. In an alternative preferred embodiment,the network mediation means 700 delivers the interactive application ina peer-to-peer environment independent of the wireless network 100. Inother embodiments, the network mediation means 700 preferably deliversthe interactive application in a hybrid environment that incorporatesthe client-server environment in conjunction with the independentpeer-to-peer environment.

Delivery of the interactive application by the network mediation means700 preferably is based on many factors. The network mediation means 700preferably takes into account the spectral efficiency of the wirelessnetwork 100. For a particular interactive application session at a giventime, the higher the spectral efficiency of the wireless network 100,the more of the interactive application that can reside on the server inthe interactive system 10. In contrast, when spectral efficiency is low,the network mediation means 700 preferably sends more of, or the entire,interactive application to the user's wireless access device (preferablyat low network usage times) so that the application may be used in apeer-to-peer or hybrid environment.

Mediation and delivery of the interactive application preferably furtherdepends on the value of the interactive application itself and thecorresponding security measures appropriate to protect the interactiveapplication 200. For example, a proprietary video game that is valuableto the system operator would preferably be stored substantially on theserver and would not be downloaded substantially to the (client)wireless access device 300. Less valuable games preferably would bedistributed substantially or completely to the client devices in orderto reduce air traffic and conserve network resources.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, service is rendered on a hybridbasis. In a hybrid scenario, the structures, functions, and stepsinvolved are substantially the same. If the interactive system 10determines that it is desirable to provide some degree of peer-to-peerplay, it is adapted to do so. Synchronization information is preferablypassed from the devices running peer-to-peer to the network. The systemwill also receive any changes required to maintain synchronization fromthe network. In the event that some devices are on alternate networktypes (i.e., 802.11), synchronization commands are preferably sent tothe devices over that alternative network. All other game commands arepreferably sent through the selected means (i.e., peer-to-peer). Thus,the system is adapted to provide efficient air link utilization.

The present invention (preferably further comprises interfaces 900 incertain embodiments, for enabling communication between the variouscomponents of the invention. The interface connections 900 between thewireless network 100 and the game server 400 preferably are accomplishedover any one or more of the interface links 900 shown in FIG. 2. In apreferred embodiment, the BSC 120 and/or the MSC 130 are preferablyconnected to the game server 400 over the “L Interface” 910 (StandardIS-658, which is incorporated herein by reference) in a mannerconventional in the art. Similarly, the IWF 150 is preferably connectedto the game server 400, the control means 600, and/or the mediationmeans 700 over TCP, IP, or Mobile IP protocols 910 in a manner known inthe art. TCP, IP, and/or Mobile IP protocols are promulgated bystandards setting organizations such as the IETF, which standards arewell known in the art and are incorporated herein by reference. Inalternative preferred embodiments, other interface protocols, such asWAP (Wireless Application Protocol), CPDP, Mobitex, DataTac, i-Mode, orother protocols may be adapted to the present invention.

Various equipment manufacturers have implemented the standards in amanner that is adapted to their equipment. Lucent, Nokia, Ericsson, andother equipment manufacturers have each adapted the interface standardsto their particular equipment and applications. Thus, it is intendedthat the interfaces 900 of the present invention be adapted to theimplementation of the standards by the manufacturer of the equipmentbeing employed.

In a preferred embodiment, the interface 900 between the user accessdevice 300 and the network 100 is of a type known in the art of wirelesscommunications services. Preferably, the network 100 is adapted to sendvariable length, rather than full length packets as is conventional inthe art prior to the present invention. Packet transmission ispreferably controlled to override the full length packet filler.Standard bin sizes (full, half, quarter, eighth) are preferably used andthe transmission rate of the packets is preferably fixed, although thesevariables may also be adapted to improve the efficiency of use of theair interface. The present invention preferably forces the manner inwhich bits are packed within frames to improve the efficiency of use ofthe air interface.

Interface connections between various of the components of the gameserver 400, and in particular, the game database 410, the user database420, the synchronization means 500, the control means 600, and themediation means 700, of the present invention are preferably high speedrouter protocol connections of the type well known in the art.

The wireless network 100 preferably further comprises a plurality of“information service stations,” or sub-networks, which may be located atvarious locations, such as, convenience stores, gas stations, andshopping malls, where a user may make a high speed or broadbandconnection with the wireless network 100 and receive updates relating tothe interactive application 200 being used. Sub-networks are preferablyadapted to have their own characteristics in addition to thecharacteristics of the master wireless network 100. For example, a userin a specific sub-network, such as, for example, a shopping mall, mayreceive information, as part of the interactive application 200, aboutstores located within the mall. A user may be notified about otherusers/players that are in the sub-network that the user may want to joinin the interactive session. Finding potential players proximate(discussed below) to a particular user would enable the networkmediation means 700 to join the players, at least in part, in apeer-to-peer environment, which allows for more efficient use of thenetwork resources and enables more real-time interactive play.Sub-networks may offer lower cost service than the wireless network 100.

The delivery of the interactive application 200 by the network mediationmeans 700 preferably is further based on the proximity of the varioususers to one another. For example, if the multiple users are all locatedin close proximity to one another, for example, in the range of about 10meters to about 100 meters, the network mediation means 700 will deliverthe interactive applications to the user access devices 300 and enabletheir interactive session to occur in a peer-to-peer environment. Inthis instance, the wireless network 100 may resemble, for example, aBluetooth network.

The present inventors anticipate that the system and method of thepresent invention are fully compatible and usable in conjunction with PCbased games, as well as Internet applications, and TV-based games. Inaddition, the present inventors anticipate that the service employingthe system and method of the present invention may be offered as a flatrate offering in conjunction with services such as Assignee's CricketT”wireless communications service. Such services may be offered on aprepaid billing service for game purchase.

Numerous other variations and modification will be apparent to personsof ordinary skill that will facilitate the delivery of wirelessinteractive applications, at high level of graphic quality, while moreefficiently using network bandwidth and resources than prior knownsystems and methods. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioninclude the variations and modification that may be used in conjunctionwith them, provided they come within the scope of the appended claimsand their equivalents.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A method comprising: facilitating interactivecommunications services to a plurality of users using a plurality ofuser communications devices via a communications server over a wirelessnetwork; detecting degradation in performance of the interactivecommunications services between two or more of the plurality of usercommunications devices; requesting, after a predetermined temporalperiod, state information from at least two of the plurality of usercommunications devices, wherein the state information is indicative ofthe degradation; receiving data indicative of the requested stateinformation and detecting, using the requested stated information,differences in degradation between a first and a second of the at leasttwo of the plurality of user communications devices; and alleviating aperception of the degradation between the first and the second of the atleast two of the plurality of user communications devices by smoothingthe interactive communications services at one of the at least two ofthe plurality of user communications devices if the differences exceed agiven threshold.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: loggingat least one of said users on to said wireless communications network;receiving requests for said communications services; identifying atleast one of said plurality of users logged on; identifying a skilllevel associated with said communications services of at least one ofsaid identified users; and communicating said identified skill level toat least one other of said users logged on. 20-23. (canceled)
 24. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: retrieving data associated withsaid identified at least one other logged on user; retrieving dataassociated with said communications services, wherein said smoothingcomprises adjusting a state of at least one of said communicationsdevices; querying at least one of said communications devices todetermine at least one capability; and determining locationsrespectively associated with said at least two of said communicationsdevices, wherein said determining locations comprises receiving dataindicative of said locations from said at least two communicationsdevices. 26-27. (canceled)
 28. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: establishing a peer-to-peer communications sessionassociated with said communications services between said at least twocommunication devices if said locations associated with said at leasttwo communications devices are within a given threshold; and terminatingsaid peer-to-peer communications session and uploading data indicativeof said interactive communication services via wireless saidcommunications network.
 29. (canceled)
 30. The method of claim 18,further comprising: querying said at least two communication devices fordata indicative of at least one capability, wherein said at least onecapability comprises a processing capability, and a display capability;and determining at least one capability common to said queriedcommunications devices and using said common capability for saidcommunications services.
 31. (canceled)
 32. The method of claim 18,further comprising: querying said at least two communications devicesfor data indicative of respective signal strengths; and initiating saidcommunications services, wherein said requesting state informationcomprises querying said at least two communications devices for dataindicative of at least one latency associated with said wirelesscommunications network, respectively, wherein said smoothing comprisesadjusting a state of at least one of said at least two communicationsdevices to substantially match that of at least one other of said atleast two communications devices, wherein said adjusting comprisessnapping. 32-36. (canceled)
 37. A system comprising: a communicationserver coupled to a plurality of user communication devices over awireless network, wherein the communication server is capable of:facilitating interactive communications services to a plurality of usersusing the plurality of user communications devices; detectingdegradation in performance of the interactive communications servicesbetween two or more of the plurality of user communications devices;requesting, after a predetermined temporal period, state informationfrom at least two of the plurality of user communications devices,wherein the state information is indicative of the degradation;receiving data indicative of the requested state information anddetecting, using the requested stated information, differences indegradation between a first and a second of the at least two of theplurality of user communications devices; and alleviating a perceptionof the degradation between the first and the second of the at least twoof the plurality of user communications devices by smoothing theinteractive communications services at one of the at least two of theplurality of user communications devices if the differences exceed agiven threshold.
 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the communicationserver is further capable of: logging at least one of said users on tosaid wireless communications network; receiving requests for saidcommunications services; identifying at least one of said plurality ofusers logged on; identifying a skill level associated with saidcommunications services of at least one of said identified users; andcommunicating said identified skill level to at least one other of saidusers logged on.
 39. The system of claim 37, wherein the communicationserver is further capable of: retrieving data associated with saididentified at least one other logged on user; retrieving data associatedwith said communications services, wherein said smoothing comprisesadjusting a state of at least one of said communications devices;querying at least one of said communications devices to determine atleast one capability; and determining locations respectively associatedwith said at least two of said communications devices, wherein saiddetermining locations comprises receiving data indicative of saidlocations from said at least two communications devices.
 40. The systemof claim 37, wherein the communication server is further capable of:establishing a peer-to-peer communications session associated with saidcommunications services between said at least two communication devicesif said locations associated with said at least two communicationsdevices are within a given threshold; and terminating said peer-to-peercommunications session and uploading data indicative of said interactivecommunication services via wireless said communications network.
 41. Thesystem of claim 37, wherein the communication server is further capableof: querying said at least two communication devices for data indicativeof at least one capability, wherein said at least one capabilitycomprises a processing capability, and a display capability; anddetermining at least one capability common to said queriedcommunications devices and using said common capability for saidcommunications services.
 42. The system of claim 37, wherein thecommunication server is further capable of: querying said at least twocommunications devices for data indicative of respective signalstrengths; and initiating said communications services, wherein saidrequesting state information comprises querying said at least twocommunications devices for data indicative of at least one latencyassociated with said wireless communications network, respectively,wherein said smoothing comprises adjusting a state of at least one ofsaid at least two communications devices to substantially match that ofat least one other of said at least two communications devices, whereinsaid adjusting comprises snapping.
 43. A machine-readable medium havingstored thereon instructions which when executed by one or moreprocessing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to performone or more operations comprising: facilitating interactivecommunications services to a plurality of users using a plurality ofuser communications devices via a communications server over a wirelessnetwork; detecting degradation in performance of the interactivecommunications services between two or more of the plurality of usercommunications devices; requesting, after a predetermined temporalperiod, state information from at least two of the plurality of usercommunications devices, wherein the state information is indicative ofthe degradation; receiving data indicative of the requested stateinformation and detecting, using the requested stated information,differences in degradation between a first and a second of the at leasttwo of the plurality of user communications devices; and alleviating aperception of the degradation between the first and the second of the atleast two of the plurality of user communications devices by smoothingthe interactive communications services at one of the at least two ofthe plurality of user communications devices if the differences exceed agiven threshold.
 44. The machine-readable medium of claim 43, whereinthe one or more operations comprise: logging at least one of said userson to said wireless communications network; receiving requests for saidcommunications services; identifying at least one of said plurality ofusers logged on; identifying a skill level associated with saidcommunications services of at least one of said identified users; andcommunicating said identified skill level to at least one other of saidusers logged on.
 45. The machine-readable medium of claim 43, whereinthe one or more operations comprise: retrieving data associated withsaid identified at least one other logged on user; retrieving dataassociated with said communications services, wherein said smoothingcomprises adjusting a state of at least one of said communicationsdevices; querying at least one of said communications devices todetermine at least one capability; and determining locationsrespectively associated with said at least two of said communicationsdevices, wherein said determining locations comprises receiving dataindicative of said locations from said at least two communicationsdevices.
 46. The machine-readable medium of claim 43, wherein the one ormore operations comprise: establishing a peer-to-peer communicationssession associated with said communications services between said atleast two communication devices if said locations associated with saidat least two communications devices are within a given threshold; andterminating said peer-to-peer communications session and uploading dataindicative of said interactive communication services via wireless saidcommunications network.
 47. The machine-readable medium of claim 43,wherein the one or more operations comprise: querying said at least twocommunication devices for data indicative of at least one capability,wherein said at least one capability comprises a processing capability,and a display capability; and determining at least one capability commonto said queried communications devices and using said common capabilityfor said communications services.
 48. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 43, wherein the one or more operations comprise: querying said atleast two communications devices for data indicative of respectivesignal strengths; and initiating said communications services, whereinsaid requesting state information comprises querying said at least twocommunications devices for data indicative of at least one latencyassociated with said wireless communications network, respectively,wherein said smoothing comprises adjusting a state of at least one ofsaid at least two communications devices to substantially match that ofat least one other of said at least two communications devices, whereinsaid adjusting comprises snapping.